Signs concern city officialsSandwich board signs have been sprouting up on downtown sidewalks lately, grabbing the attention of passersby as well as city officials. Some of main street signs, and others around town, are not in compliance with city ordinances.“We've seen a series of signs around town that are illegal,” said John Campbell, city Planning and Zoning Commission member.

During a Powell City Council meeting last week, Campbell outlined different types of signs that are in violation of city code.

“There are safety issues, aesthetic issues that are certainly a concern for this governing body,” said Mayor Scott Mangold.

Sandwich-board-style signs are allowed in Powell with permits, but most business owners using them have not received permits, Campbell said. The placement of the signs is a main concern for Campbell and other planning and zoning officials.

“One goes up, then another, then another,” Campbell said. “They're placed willy-nilly, with no predictability. We have them kind of all over the place.”

Several signs are in the middle of pedestrian walkways, and city leaders worry they present safety hazards.

“Part of the problem is that the walking path is being obstructed, downtown specifically,” said William Petersen, the city's building official.

Visually-impaired residents could run into signs placed in the middle of sidewalks or ramps, Campbell noted.

Campbell said signs need to be placed on the edge of the sidewalk, out of the walkways. As it is, there seems to be no rhyme nor reason for their placement.

“You can see we've got them all over the place, and they continue to be a problem,” Campbell said.

Several of the signs are located off the premises of the actual businesses, directing traffic to them. Off-premise signs are not allowed in the city.

“I have a problem with the off-premise signs,” said John Wetzel, city councilman. “It needs to be in front of your business.”

Some electronic signs around town also are in violation of the city ordinance.

“The main issue that a lot of people have talked about is flashing signs,” Campbell said.

In the sign ordinance established about 10 years ago, reader board signs are allowed, but only those that scroll text.

The city prohibits signs that flash images or graphics. A few businesses and organizations have programmable signs with flashing features.

“It's hard not to watch it while you're driving by,” Campbell said, noting flashing signs are a distraction that could be a potential safety hazard.

Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council worry that if the sign issues are not addressed, other businesses will follow suit and purchase flashing signs.

“All of us feel like it's going to be a train-wreck if it isn't addressed,” said Wetzel.

To enforce the city ordinance, City Attorney Sandra Kitchen recommended that the city building official issue letters alerting business owners that their signs are in violation of the ordinance. If they fail to comply within a specific time period, they would be charged in municipal court.

Kitchen said she doesn't recall ever prosecuting someone in municipal court for violating the sign ordinance.

“We can make them aware that there is a regulation, and if they fail to comply, then we can be sticklers about it,” Mangold said.

Petersen, the building official, said he plans to send letters to business owners and organizations that are not in compliance with the ordinance.